The Life-Saving Inline GFCI: What It Is, Why You Want Them, And Where To Use Them
What is an "inline GFCI"? Well, GFCI stands for "ground fault circuit interrupter." It is a plug device that acts as a circuit breaker, cutting power to prevent electrocution. In many cases, they can save your life, but that is not the only reason you should want to pick up a couple for your home. Here are some other reasons why you should have a few inline GFCIs on hand, as well as some of the best uses for these devices.
Christmas Lights and Storms
An inline GFCI connects to an outlet. Then one to three other plugs plug into the other end of the device, allowing you to connect one, two, or three electrical cords to the main power source. This is fantastic for Christmas lights since you never seem to have enough outdoor outlets as it is.
Better still, all of your outdoor lights would be protected by the GFCIs. Rainstorms, ice storms, and blizzards would have zero effect on the lights. The GFCI would protect the lights by sensing the transference of electrical current from the plugs and main outlet across the water/ice as the current tries to escape to the ground. That is when the GFCI cuts the power to the lights and stops the electrical current from charging the wet ground and preventing you from an electrifying Christmas light show experience -- literally.
Remodeling in the Rain
Not a lot of people are likely to do remodeling projects in the rain. However, if you start a project with the sun out, and a light drizzle begins when you are close to finishing the project, you can finish the project without worrying about wet power tools, wet cords, wet ground, and you. The GFCI in your power cord lines will only stop your tools when things start to get too wet, and too dangerous. Until that happens, you can keep working. The GFCI is both your insurance policy and your early warning sign of when it is definitely time to quit working on your project.
Charging Your Car
Hooking your car or truck up to a battery charger is common. Unfortunately, without a GFCI in place, you have to take your car off the charger if it starts raining heavily, or if a blizzard storms in. With a GFCI in place, your battery charger can continue working safely until the GFCI detects electrical surges that can damage your vehicle's battery. Then the GFCI shuts off the battery charger until you can get outside to take the charger off the vehicle.
For more information, contact a company like cord adapters by Americord.